Monday, February 23, 2015

Quilty Train - March 2015 - In Like a Lion


In Like a Lion

It took a long time to come up with a name for this block that I was happy with.  I see pinwheels.  I see chevrons.  I see a Greek cross.  I feel the wind moving - that is probably the pinwheels tugging at me again. "In Like a Lion" seems to touch on all of those thoughts. This little guy agrees with me....


especially when I changed the colors to reflect the season.


March in North Texas is all wind and rain and sunshine as the winds fight to figure out who will win and we wait for the seasons to sort themselves out. The warm south winds always win, but it takes a little convincing on their part.

General Description:
The Quilt:

  • Measures 62" x 86" as described.
  • Is made of 24, 12" finished blocks arranged in a 4 x 6 grid.
  • Has 2 borders
    • Inner border is 1" finished
    • Outer border is 6" finished
The Block:
  • Measures 12" finished (is actually 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" before incorporation into the quilt.)
  • 4 patch construction - all four patches are the same
  • Paper pieced - if you have been following along, paper piecing should no longer be a big deal to you.  Just in case it still scares you please refer to my tutorial.  I promise the process is not that hard.  If you would like additional help let me know.  I'd be glad to host a workshop.
FQG: Angie will be supplying fabric for the patterned green (outer pinwheel) in this quilt.  You need to supply White (solid or tone on tone is acceptable), Light grey (solid or tone on tone is acceptable), and a rainbow hued solid of your choice (not green).

Kit fabric
The guild version of the block will look something like this....



Cutting Directions:
  • Paper
    • You need 1 copy of this file to make the block.
    • The link will print all four patches of the block - all identical other than their labels - and will require 4 pieces of paper. (One for each patch)
    • There are four sections to each patch.  These will print together on the same page.
    • Make sure that the pattern measures 4 1/2" along the dotted lines of the square.  You should see the dotted lines 1/4" beyond the last solid line outlining the square. If the pattern you print does not measure 4 1/2" you will need to fiddle with the shrink/enlarge feature of your printer to get it to the correct size.
    • Trim excess paper from the pattern.  I leave 1/4" beyond the dotted lines to make sure there is enough excess to trim the units squarely once it is all pieced.
  • White (20 pieces)
    • Outer pinwheel
      • pieces #A1, E1, I1, and M1
      • cut 4, 4 3/4" x 2 3/4"
    • Lone triangle
      • pieces #A3, E3, I3 and M3
      • cut 4, 6" x 3 1/2"
    • Outer chevron
      • pieces #B1, C1, F1, G1, J1, K1, N1, and O1
      • cut 8, 3 1/2" x 2 1/4"
    • Inner pinwheel
      • pieces #D2, H2, L2, and P2
      • cut 4, 4 3/4" x 2 3/4"
  • Grey (8 pieces)
    • Inner chevron
      • pieces #B2, C2, F2, G2, J2, K2, N2, and O2
      • cut 8, 5" x 2 1/4"
  • Patterned Green (4 pieces)
    • Outer pinwheel
      • pieces #A2, E2, I2, and M2
      • cut 4, 4 3/4" x 2 3/4"
  • Bright solid (4 pieces)
    • Inner pinwheel
      • pieces #D1, H1, L1, and P1
      • cut 4, 4 3/4" x 2 3/4"


Sewing Directions:
  • Follow the paper pattern and piece as directed.
  • Use my tutorial for a refresher if you need one.
  • Combine pieces to make patches
    • A+B+C+D = upper left patch
    • E+F+G+H = upper right patch
    • I+J+K+L = lower right patch
    • M+N+O+P = lower left patch
  • Arrange patches in a 2 x 2 grid so that you have a bright pinwheel on point in the center of your block.
  • Sew patches together to make block.
  • Pop seams and iron in a spiral.
  • Remove papers.
FQG  - Return your finished blocks to Angie by March 24th, 2015 or bring it to the meeting on that night to be eligible to win all of the blocks.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

A moment of refreshment....

Take a moment to share
 an ice cold Coke with your sweet heart.

  (Valentines day is on Saturday, February 14)


Then get to work on your block of the month. 

 You have two weeks from today to get it done.